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Rapp and Ellis Set Records at Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas

Americans Jordan Rapp and Mary Beth Ellis both won their fourth career IRONMAN titles today.

by Roger Hospedales

Rapp sets a new run course record

Rapp, who is sure making the best of his second chance at life after a near fatal hit and run accident in March of 2010, earned his victory in a way most did not expect. He did it on the run and not the bike.

American Joe Umphenour, a former Olympic distance standout, led the way after the 2.4-mile swim in Lake Woodlands with a time of 48:48, closely followed by fellow American Brandon Marsh (48:48) and Hungary’s Balazs Csoke (48:50). Rapp stayed relatively close exiting the water in tenth (53:36).

Once on the 112-mile bike, Switzerland’s Mathias Hecht took control right from the start and he set the standard for the rest of the men follow. Hecht ended up setting the new bike course record of 4:18:17. Rapp, on the other hand, seemed to be holding back during first half of the ride, finally making up ground during the second half. By the time Rapp entered T2, he sat 12:18 in arrears of Hecht, but led Denmark’s Rasmus Henning by eight seconds.

Rapp mentioned prior to the race that he even though he would prefer to start the run in the lead and have everyone chase him, he was fully prepared to win the race with his run. He did just that.

Hecht surrendered the race lead to Rapp near the 14-mile mark, and Rapp continued getting further away. Rapp posted the top marathon of the day (2:46:55) setting a new run course record (previously held by American Tim O’Donnell – 2:49:02) to take his fourth career win in 8:11:44. Fellow American Justin Daerr used the second-best marathon of 2:48:33 to run from well back after the bike to edge out Hecht late on the run to claim second (8:22:15). Hecht had to settle to third (8:22:58).

Top 10 Men

1. Jordan Rapp USA 8:10:44

2. Justin Daerr USA 8:22:15

3. Mathias Hecht SUI 8:22:58

4. Jozsef Major HUN 8:27:19

5. Brandon Marsh USA 8:30:18

6. Joe Umphenour USA 8:36:19

7. Rasmus Henning DEN 8:37:23

8. Christian Brader GER 8:39:07

9. Matthew Russell USA 8:42:50

10. Pedro Gomes USA 8:44:53

Ellis sets a new course record

Ellis, who coincidentally won her third Ironman title with Rapp at Ironman Canada last year, set the tone by leading the swim (53:32), followed by Americans Tami Ritchie (53:33) and Amy Marsh (53:33). However, once on the bike, Ellis let Marsh take the lead, choosing to shadow her for the entire ride. With the history of her being the better runner, it turned out to be the perfect tactic.

Marsh and Ellis had identical rides of 4:45:52, with Marsh entering T2 three seconds ahead of Ellis. They stated the run with a similar gap. By the third mile, Ellis took over and built a 1:14 lead over Marsh. To her credit Marsh ran well and kept the gap between the two to less than three minutes until the elastic broke with four miles to go. Ellis led by 4:55 at that point and never looked back. She stopped the clock with a new course record time of 8:54:58, wiping out the 8:57:51 mark set by Catriona Morrison (GBR) last year. Ellis said earlier this week that she is here to test her early season fitness and today’s performance indicates she is a serious Kona threat.

We all know that American Caitlin Snow is one of the premier runners in this sport, but after today she added to that status. She finished the bike some 25:34 down to Ellis and Marsh, but that deficit did not discourage her one bit. Snow ploughed through the field with a stunning 2:51:47 course record marathon (shattering the previous mark by over twelve minutes). She ended up passing Marsh in the closing stages of the run to secure second in 9:01:32. Marsh rounded out the top three with a time of 9:04:00.

Top 10 Women

1. Mary Beth Ellis USA 8:54:58

2. Caitlin Snow USA 9:01:32

3. Amy Marsh USA 9:04:00

4. Corinne Abraham GBR 9:18:39

5. Charisa Wernick USA 9:27:43

6. Brooke Brown CAN 9:47:05

7. Sarah Piampiano USA 9:47:38

8. Michelle Leblanc USA 9:53:59

9. Christie Sym AUS 9:55:56

10. Amy McGrath USA 9:56:18

Visit ironmanlive.com to view all the race day coverage, and view a photo gallery at lavamagazine.com